CLASSIFIED | POLITICS | TERRORISM | OPINION | VIEWS

The Faulty Logic Behind American Foreign FALLACY

By Uthum Kurukulasooriya, Inland Empire California

My fellow Sri Lankans,

On September 6th, in a disheartening turn of events, the United States Senate approved State department appropriations that called for the termination of all military aid to war stricken Sri Lanka. Additionally, the appropriations also call for two of Sri Lanka's main arms suppliers, Israel and Pakistan, to cut back on weapons sales to the Sri Lankan military if any American equipment is involved. The measures were introduced by democratic senator Patrick Leahy who claims that Sri Lanka's failure to stem human rights abuses at the hands of her security forces are reasons good enough for the United States to reconsider its support for the small island nation.

Leahy bases his accusations on unsubstantiated claims mainly alleged by INGO's operating on Sri Lankan soil. These INGO's such as the German Berghoff foundation, who has made it its mission to demilitarize Sri Lanka, have gone on a crusade to vilify the Sri Lankan government. There is no question that the sympathies of these organizations undoubtedly lie with Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers, who have been banned in over 30 countries as a terrorist organization; the people of Sri Lanka know this and so does the government.

Misled by LTTE and Tamil Diaspora propaganda, these organizations come to Sri Lanka with the mindset that the Sri Lankan conflict is a manifestation of an ethnic problem when in fact it is nothing more than a brutal war that is being fought by a democratically-elected government and a ruthless terrorist organization (LTTE). Even though these organizations claim to be impartial, they are in fact the opposite. This is evidenced through the many statements, reports and assessments made by these organizations that go to great lengths to criticize the Sri Lankan government while virtually ignoring and even downplaying the gross human rights violations committed by the LTTE. Mr. Leahy must have foolishly taken into consideration the views of these organizations as he formulated his outlook on the Sri Lankan government.

What is more worrisome is the fact that the Sri Lankan government has not even been given a proper chance by the US senate to defend itself against these accusations; therefore it has already been found guilty of all charges despite the fact that there is no hard evidence or any formal investigations at the hands of respected bodies such as the UN that hold the Sri Lankan government responsible for all violations mentioned. Furthermore, Mr. Leahy's credibility is also quite questionable. This is the same man who has campaigned tirelessly to bring fourth funding cuts for the US military. So why is it not surprising that Leahy wants to allow Sri Lanka's military forces to have the weakest possible position as well?

But there is really something I want to ask the US senate, why are they singling out Sri Lanka because of alleged abuses? If I am not mistaken, Israel is the largest recipient of US military aid. That's right "aid". A majority of the helicopters, jets, small arms and weapons systems Israel receives from the US are absolutely free of charge! Israel's human rights record on the other hand is pitiful at best, yet our Israeli friends receive unconditional US support and material aid irrespective of their actions. The US also continues to back Columbia, who is the second largest recipient of US military aid.

On September 9th, the US senate cleared a whopping 41.6 million dollars in US military aid to be delivered to Colombia at a time when government-backed paramilitary groups are kidnapping people and committing extra-judicial killings with impunity in that war-ravaged South American nation. And what about Saudi Arabia and Pakistan? The despotic regimes of both of these countries exercise their authority with an iron fist; democracy is suppressed while martial law is an everyday norm. In spite of this, both countries are flooded with US-made arms worth millions of dollars every year. But forget all of these countries, just look at the US's own handling of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, were there not gross human rights violations? Does Abu Grahib ring a bell? What about Guantanamo Bay?

So far the Iraq war has claimed the lives of some 700,000 civilians! Believe me when I say this, the war in Sri Lanka is a much rosier case (excuse me for the oxymoron, war is not rosy but I'm trying to make a point). So why the duplicity in US foreign policy I ask? Why does the US hypocritically chastise Sri Lanka for human rights abuses while it commits its own fair share of abuses and seemingly supports other regimes all around the world with perhaps more paltry human rights records than that of Sri Lanka's? Is there a bit of favoritism in the mix or is Sri Lanka simply insignificant? Why does the US have the right to wage war on terrorists while Sri Lanka is expected to avert war and always follow the diplomatic path?

The Sri Lankan government is already cash-strapped and the Sri Lankan military does not have an unending supply of resources to keep fighting this war for the next 20+ years. The preconditions for a major Northern offensive to wipe out the remaining Tamil Tiger strongholds are almost in place; therefore it doesn't make sense for the US government to cut off military aid to Sri Lanka at a time when it needs it the most. Bare in mind the US is not even providing Sri Lanka with any offensive hardware, it is only supplying the Sri Lankan military with items such as spare parts for vehicles, radars and night vision goggles.

However, all of these items are still much needed equipment. What poses the biggest threat as far as procurement of weapons and supplies for the military is the prospect of Israel and Pakistan halting a significant portion of their military aid to Sri Lanka due to pressure and lobbying by the US if these appropriations are made into laws. The appropriations state that no US-licensed equipment can be transferred to Sri Lanka from other entities. Both countries (Israel & Pakistan) are two of Sri Lanka's most important suppliers, if they are to downgrade their support for Sri Lanka, the affects would be disastrous. American-made equipment and indigenous designs with American parts in them constitute the brunt of the exports from these countries.

Israel is the only country whom Sri Lanka can turn to in order to obtain spare parts for its fledging fleet of Kfir fighter bombers (Kfir aircraft contain American parts); these aircraft are the backbone of the Sri Lankan air force, if they are to be made immobile, the Sri Lankan military will loose a large portion of its offensive capability.

The fates of Sri Lanka's war on terror and the US's global war on terror are both intertwined. After the deterioration of the 2002 ceasefire, Sri Lanka has beaten back the LTTE with a new found vigor. The LTTE lies on the brink of defeat and the oncoming battles in the North will decide their fate once and for all. If Sri Lanka can attain victory and eliminate the LTTE it will prove to the world that terrorism can be defeated, but if the LTTE is to survive and hit back because of the weakening of the Sri Lankan military they will continue to inspire and aid other terrorist groups as they are doing right now. Evidence of the LTTE training Indian rebel groups and providing Islamic terrorists with material support such as passports and suicide vest technology has surfaced. That is why Sri Lanka is such an integral front on this war on terrorism.

It is speculated that President Bush will most likely overrule these appropriations and prevent them from becoming law. However, next year's new government will most likely be a Democratic one (I'm no psychic, but it looks like that will be the case). If not, the Democrats will still dominate the US congress. As a voter block here in the US, Sri Lankan US citizens have always traditionally voted Democrat, but the Democrats are spearheading this effort to weaken our armed forces. I won't be surprised if Leahy tries to bring up these unofficial sanctions against Sri Lanka yet again with next year's new government. So let's send a message to Leahy and the democrats, they will have a lot to loose in terms of Sri Lankan votes if these appropriations are voted in and are to be endorsed by any future Democratic government. Who's with me?

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